Notts County webchat with the Post's Leigh Curtis

Hi and welcome to the Notts County webchat with the Post's Leigh Curtis.

The Magpies rounded off their pre-season campaign at the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Carlton, but also won 2-1 at York.

Boss Kevin Nolan split his first team into two groups with plenty of trialists on show.

One was Jake Wright, a striker from Sheffield United, who played at Carlton, while Nicky Hunt, formerly of Bolton, and Eddy Lecygne, from Stoke, played at York.

Pierce Bird also played at Bootham Crescent where he scored a last-minute winner.

With the season a week away, Leigh Curtis will be looking ahead to the new season with you and he will be online to take your questions from noon.

13:01

Thank you!

Thank you for your questions, I am now off to Notts TV to talk about the Magpies and their chances for the new season! See you all at Coventry!

13:00

Question from Josh: What are the Chances of Notts signing Eddy Lecygne and Nicky Hunt? How come Iacovitti has ended up at FGR? I thought he wantes the Notts move?

Hi Josh,

Suspect Notts will want to take a good look at them both before they make a decision so I would expect them to be in training. As for Iacovitti, I was told he wanted to come and was keen to come, but Forest Green may have guaranteed first-team football and Forest may have thought that was a better option, but there was no question the player wanted to come. And why wouldn’t he? It’s literally across the Trent!

12:56

Question from Mick: Frank question Leigh - is the current squad better than this time last year ?
Do you seriously expect Notts to finish in the top 7 ? My thoughts are No and No.

Hi Mick,

I’d have to disagree on the squad as Notts went into it last season without any authentic wide players. This time they go in armed with Grant, Hawkridge and Alessandra. So I think it’s better in that respect. Had O’Connor been fit and played alongside Milsom, I would have been very happy with that midfield four. As for the top seven, I think they have a chance, but I think those chances would be majorly enhanced by the addition of a top striker. I do worry about the workload for Stead and Ameobi.

12:53

Question from Cov Pie: Who will bring the biggest away following to The Lane next season?

Hi Cov Pie,

I think it’s a toss-up between Lincoln or Mansfield.

12:50

Question from Matt: Morning Leigh, what are your predictions for Notts this season and who do you think will make the top 7 and bottom 2?

Good morning to you too Matt!

I think the league is wide open this year, but there are some teams who are better equipped than some. I fancy Luton, Mansfield and Coventry for the top three. Then I think for the play-offs it will be anyone from Lincoln, Cambridge, Carlisle, Forest Green and Notts. I think Notts have a chance purely because the squad did so well towards the back end of last season has largely been kept together. The wide areas have been addressed, and I just think if Notts can get a top striker, and another CM, then they would probably have an outside chance of automatic. Goals win you games.

12:46

Question from Alex: What are the chances of us signing Peirce Bird? Been brilliant all the times i've seen him play

Hi Alex,

Pierce has done really well, but it is a big step up to league football, but there’s certainly much to admire. He could be one the club sign and work with. I think he has a fantastic attitude and looks willing to learn. And to think he’s come from Dunkirk in the Central Midlands League, he’s acquitted himself really well. Be interesting to see what happens.

12:43

Question from Ian: I thought Liam Walker had a good game at York on Saturday, do you think he will force his way into the starting 11 at Coventry?

Hi Ian,

I saw the goal and the assist and that’s exactly what Notts need from the centre of midfield. From what I’ve been told, he’s been excellent in training and if Notts can get eight to 10 goals from him this season that would be fantastic. But I think it’s unfair to put too much expectation on his shoulders. This is first club in the Football League since he played for Portsmouth in 2012-13. I think his performance at the weekend will certainly give the manager food for thought and I would expect him to start.

Aaron's team for Coventry

I’d love for grant to start but think he’ll come off the bench and get the winner

Going for 2-0

12:39

Question from Cov Pie: Elliott H now a midfield option rather than defender would you say?

Hi Cov Pie,

I think that’s most likely going to be his position moving forward. He didn’t play at the weekend because of a groin niggle.

12:37

Question from John: Find it odd we was willing to spend 100k on liam noble yet the rest of the signings have been free or a loan aside from Alessandro.what happened to these quality over quantity signing we was waiting for because to me this has been the same as every other summer

Hi John,

The money is there, but it hinges on who is available. Think the manager has said that he won’t just sign people for the sake of it. With a week of the season to go, I think most teams would be reticent to let players go now unless they are deemed surplus to requirements. Izale McLeod didn’t get sorted until the season had begun and there’s still a month to go before the window closes. I think the most important position will be the CF. As I’ve said, I think Stead will get you 10-15 goals, Ameobi would certainly chip in as would Forte, but in terms of 20-25 goal season striker, they are hard to find and they are expensive too.

12:32

Question from Cov Pie: Hi Leigh - along with which keeper to pick how do you see the back four lining up against Cov?

Hi Cov Pie,

If I was a betting man, I’d put a sizable chunk on it being Collin, Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Jones.

It would be nice and I don’t think he will be short of any offers, but Wigan paid £1m for him and are looking to recoup some of that. I understand he’s on more than £4k a week so his wages would be huge. Can’t see it happening, but he was outstanding for Grimsby and would undoubtedly be an unbelievable capture. I think that centre forward position is going to be very important.

12:27

Question from Dave: Tell us about the 'newer' trailists, please?

Hi Dave,

Well Nicky Hunt is an experienced full-back and knows Kevin Nolan from his time at Bolton. Hunt has also been at Orient. I think if he was to sign it would be purely for back-up. Jake Wright is at Sheffield United and the Blades are happy to loan him out next season. He had several loan spells last season with Southport, York and Gateshead. Still very young and raw, but he suffered a hand injury at the weekend and there should be more on that this week. As for Eddy Lecygne. He’s a former French under-19 international but relatively unknown in the Football League. Had a spell at Doncaster but played one game.

12:17

Question from Rob: Hi Leigh Kevin Nolan has a decision or two to make for the Coventry game. Do think he will go with one up front or sacrifice one of the midfielders/wingers who have impressed in pre-season?

Hi Rob,

It’s a great question. I don’t think KN knows his best team yet and it will be interesting to see what he does for the opening game. I did a piece recently on the potential formations and there was a poll which asked which system suited the players the best. The diamond came out on top and it would see Grant as the number 10, with Hawkridge and Alessandra on the flanks. Milsom/Walker would be holding midfield. I don’t think the manager will budge from a two-man strikeforce.

12:14

Question from King Kev: Im hearing as well as signing ryan yates and the defender from forest, we are also very close to signing tyler walker - any truth in this ??

Hi King Kev,

Notts’ interest in Yates and Iacovitti is bonafide, but there is talk this morning that Forest Green have won the race to sign him. I would still fancy Yates to make the short trip across the Trent. As for Walker, I spoke to our Forest guy here and he seems to think that Walker will be given every chance at Forest this season. Be a good signing though.

12:11

Question from Richard: Any news on transfers this week coming into strengthen the squad?

Hi Richard,

The club is still waiting for an answer from Forest on Iacovitti and Yates. The former does seem to be set for a move to Forest Green Rovers according to the Mirror’s James Nursey who is usually spot on so that may change things. I find that a little bizarre given the club is miles away and Notts are on the doorstep. The spine of the team is what Nolan told me he wants to strengthen even in light of Walker’s arrival.

12:08

Question from Steve: Any news on these 'wow' signings or are we just filling up the squad and budget with Plan C players now? (with Grant as a loan signing exception)

Hi Steve,

I spoke to Kevin Nolan on Friday about the transfer situation. He still wants to strengthen the spine of the team and is far from being finished. It looks like Alex Iacovitti is off to Forest Green rather than Notts County so will be interesting to see what happens now. Ryan Yates is still on the agenda. I don’t think the club are finished in the market by any means. I think it’s only fair to judge once the window has closed.